The Faithful Triumph: A Deep Dive into The Traitors Season 3 Finale
The dramatic conclusion to The Traitors Season 3 has arrived, delivering a whirlwind of betrayals, alliances, and ultimately, a victory for the faithful. The season, renowned for its chaotic energy and unpredictable twists, culminated in a final episode that left viewers on the edge of their seats, culminating in a record-breaking number of faithful winners.
The finale kicked off immediately following the intense cliffhanger of the previous week, where Britney Haynes, of Big Brother fame, faced the daunting decision of whether to betray her fellow Big Brother alum and traitor, Danielle Reyes. In a move ripped straight from the playbook of reality television’s most memorable betrayals, Britney chose self-preservation, casting her vote to eliminate Danielle. The emotional weight of the moment was palpable, underscoring the cutthroat nature of the game and the difficult choices players must make to survive.
Adding another layer of intrigue, the episode unveiled the results of the week’s mission, which granted one player the power of the "seer," a new and potentially game-changing twist. This coveted ability allowed the chosen player to secretly determine whether another player was a faithful or a traitor. Britney Haynes emerged victorious in the mission, earning the seer power and the ability to strategically leverage this knowledge.
Britney then invited Gabby Windey, of The Bachelorette fame, to a private meeting, where Gabby confirmed her status as a faithful – a fact already known to Britney. This presented Britney with a significant strategic dilemma: should she attempt to frame Gabby as a traitor, sowing discord and confusion among the group, or should she take a different approach? In a surprising move, Britney opted for a more direct tactic. Instead of targeting Gabby, she publicly declared Gabby’s faithfulness and then instead went after Dylan Efron, a producer known for his work on the docuseries Down to Earth. This bold play set the stage for a dramatic and chaotic final act.
Ultimately, the faithful prevailed. Gabby Windey, Dylan Efron, Dolores Catania (of The Real Housewives of New Jersey), and Lord Ivar Mountbatten were crowned the winners of The Traitors Season 3, marking the largest cohort of victors in the show’s three-season history.
The final roundtable proved to be the deciding moment. The faithful, united in their suspicions, unanimously banished Britney in a 4-1 vote. Although Britney was unable to reveal her traitorous identity to the group, the faithful had successfully eliminated all the remaining traitors from their midst. This victory allowed them to bring the game to an end and claim the prize pot of $204,300, which they divided amongst themselves.
Meet the Champions:
- Dylan Efron: Beyond being the brother of actor Zac Efron, Dylan Efron is an accomplished actor, producer, and outdoor enthusiast. The 33-year-old gained prominence for producing the documentary series Down to Earth with Zac Efron and has a background in stunt work in film production.
- Dolores Catania: A beloved personality from The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Dolores Catania is a 54-year-old philanthropist and entrepreneur. She is a mother to Gabby and Frankie Catania, both in their 20s.
- Gabby Windey: A 34-year-old TV personality, Gabby Windey gained fame through her appearances on The Bachelor Season 26 and The Bachelorette Season 19. The Illinois native hosts the Long Winded with Gabby Windey podcast and previously served as an NFL cheerleader for the Denver Broncos. She revealed that she plans to use her winnings for her wedding, having recently married comedian Robby Hoffman in January.
- Lord Ivar Mountbatten: A British aristocrat and geologist, Lord Ivar Mountbatten, 61, is known as the second cousin of King Charles III. He has been married to James Coyle since 2018.
The Mastermind Behind the Mayhem:
The show’s charismatic host, Scottish actor Alan Cumming, has been a constant presence throughout all three seasons of The Traitors (U.S.). Cumming’s unique portrayal of the host role earned him an Emmy for best reality host in the show’s second season, which also won the award for the best reality competition program. Cumming described his approach, stating, "I am the host, but I’m playing a character of a host, very much so. I don’t even sound like that; I put on a funny accent as well as a look and tone. I don’t go around quoting Shakespeare all the time, and I certainly don’t boss people around. And I’m not so aggressive as this sort of stern castle daddy." The Traitors is filmed at the atmospheric Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, adding to the show’s immersive and dramatic ambiance.
A Season of Treachery:
Season 3 featured a total of five traitors: Danielle Reyes (Big Brother finalist), Bob the Drag Queen (RuPaul’s Drag Race winner), Carolyn Wiger (Survivor finalist), Boston Rob Mariano (Survivor winner), and Britney Haynes (Big Brother contestant). Britney began the game as a faithful before being recruited as a traitor later in the season.
A Look Back at Previous Seasons:
- Season 1: Ciree Fields (four-time Survivor contestant) made history as the first traitor to win the U.S. version of The Traitors, outwitting faithfuls Andie Thurmond and Quentin Jiles.
- Season 2: Trishelle Cannatella and CT Tamburello, both from The Challenge, emerged victorious as faithfuls. The final four also included Kate Chastain (a traitor from Below Deck) and Mercedes Javid (a faithful from Shahs of Sunset).
The Future of The Traitors:
Peacock has renewed The Traitors for both Season 4 and Season 5, promising more intrigue, deception, and nail-biting drama in the seasons to come.
Where to Watch:
All three seasons of The Traitors, along with the two seasons each of The Traitors UK (hosted by Claudia Winkleman) and The Traitors Australia (hosted by Rodger Corser), are available to stream exclusively on Peacock. Subscriptions begin at $7.99 a month.
